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India

• Christians beaten, accused of forcible conversion in Karnataka

  At approximately 10:00 a.m. on July 10, Hindu militants in the city of Chitradurga barged into a tea stall attended by Sharada, the wife of Pastor Nagaraj, and questioned her about her faith, according to a July 18 report from Evangelical Fellowship of India. The militants demanded to know how much money her family received for converting to Christianity and accused her and her husband of forcible conversion. They also threatened to burn her alive. Sharada was dragged to the police station where a complaint was filed against her. Pastor Nagaraj was also summoned to the station and upon his arrival was beaten by the militants while police looked on.

  Also in Karnataka, four Christians were beaten and accused of forcible conversion by Hindus at approximately 5:30 p.m. on July 18 while visiting a housing colony in the western region of the city of Bangalore. The believers were brought to a police station three hours later. Later that night, they were presented before a magistrate and sent to the Bangalore Central Jail, where they remained at last report.

  Pray for the release of the imprisoned believers. Pray that those who falsely accuse believers of forcible conversion will see that the Good News is a free gift and will respond to faith in Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9).

  For more information on how Christians suffer in India,click here.

• Church closed down; pastor beaten

  On June 7, a group of police officers and Hindu militants disrupted a worship service being held in the newly built Indian Apostolic church building in Chennagiri village, Davanagere district in Karnataka state. The police claimed that the church was opened with an illegal license. The pastor explained that he had already obtained the necessary permission from authorities but was told that no churches were allowed in the village since they were engaged in "conversion activities." All of the church members were sent away and the building was locked up.

  At approximately 10:00 a.m. on June 8, Pastor Paul Chinnaswamy (50) was attacked by two suspected Hindu militants while he was sitting in front of his church in Krishnagiri district, Tamil Nadu state. The men approached the pastor on bikes and attacked him, kicking him in the chest and punching him in the jaw so hard his teeth were broken. When villagers noticed the scene, they approached the assailants who then fled. Pastor Chinnaswamy has reportedly been assaulted and threatened several times in recent years.

  Pray for healing for Pastor Chinnaswamy. Pray that the members of the Indian Apostolic Church in Karnataka will grow in Christlikeness through the ongoing opposition they face (James 1:2-4).

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in India,click here.

• Homes burned, paramilitary forces withdrawn in Orissa

  On May 30, Hindu militants set fire to six Christian homes in Kisapanga village in Kandhamal district, Orissa, according to a May 30 report from All India Christian Council. Approximately 2,500 of the tens of thousands of people displaced by the August 2008 mob violence (click here for more details) remain in relief camps and are fearful to return to their villages. The central government in India recently decided to withdraw paramilitary forces from the district within a month, triggering concern among Christians of further violence.

  Ask God to strengthen Christians in Orissa to remain steadfast as they suffer. Pray that those facing difficult and dangerous living conditions will find strength and comfort in the refuge God provides (Psalm 127).

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, go to theIndia Country Report.

• Pastor severely beaten in Madhya Pradesh

  Pastor Ramesh Mandevey's injured arm Photo from GCIC

  On the afternoon of May 24, Pastor Ramesh Mandevey (31) was brutally attacked by 10 Hindu militants after visiting with a believer near the town of Dewas in Madhya Pradesh, India. A companion who was travelling with Pastor Mandevey was able to escape the assailants and later returned to bring the badly beaten pastor to the police station. At last report, Pastor Mandevey was in hospital with serious internal injuries.

  Pray for healing for Pastor Mandevey. Pray for comfort for his family at this difficult time. Pray that those responsible for the continued violence against Christians in India will be brought to justice.

  To find out more about the plight of Indian Christians,click here.

• Christians beaten, churches set on fire

  The Voice of the Martyrs has received several reports of attacks on Christians in India in recent weeks.

  At approximately 10:30 p.m. on May 10, two church buildings in Imphal district, Manipur state were set on fire by Hindu militants, according to a May 15 report from the Evangelical Fellowship of India. The next day, another church building in the area was also torched. The church buildings were badly damaged and furniture and equipment destroyed.

  On the afternoon of May 12, Hindu militants barged into a school in Chennarayapatna, Hassan district, Karnataka state where pastors and other Christians were meeting for prayer. The militants accused the believers of forcible conversion and beat several of them, including Pastor K.K. Ramesh. They also verbally harassed the women present and burned Bibles and other religious literature. The militants eventually made their way to Pastor Ramesh's home and destroyed valuable items. When police arrived approximately an hour later, they took several believers to the police station and detained them. Those injured were denied medical treatment. All were released at approximately 10:30 p.m. without charge.

  On May 14, ten Hindu militants accosted Pastor George Philip (58) while he was walking in the village of Kottavillai, Tamil Nadu state. When the pastor tried to walk away from the militants, he was pelted with stones and beaten. He was later hospitalized for his injuries.

  Pray for healing for those injured. Pray that the bold faith of Christians in India will be a light that draws others to Jesus (Matthew 5:14-16).

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in India,click here.

• Churches attacked, believers beaten

  The Voice of the Martyrs received several reports of violence against Christians in India in recent weeks.

  On May 5, Hindu militants attacked approximately 200 Christians gathered together for a meeting in Mumbai, the capital city of Maharashtra state, according to a May 6 report from the Evangelical Fellowship of India. The militants forcefully entered the building, blocked the exits and ordered the believers to chant "Jai Shri Ram" (Praise Lord Ram). Those who refused were beaten. Several were injured, including a 5-year-old girl and a pastor who required five stitches in his head.

  A church building was set on fire by Hindu militants on the morning of May 5 in the village of Sivapuram, Warangal district, Andhra Pradesh state. Neighbours alerted the pastor and church members of the fire at approximately 2:00 a.m. By the time they arrived on scene, however, the furniture, pulpit, carpet and audio equipment had been destroyed.

  On May 7, Hindu militants disrupted a prayer meeting held in a home in Narsinghpur district, Madhya Pradesh state, according to a May 11 report from the Evangelical Fellowship of India. The militants shouted abuses at believers present, accused them of forcible conversion and beat them. One believer suffered a broken arm. Five of the believers were arrested and taken to a police station. All were granted bail the next day.

  Pray for peace in India. Pray for healing for injured believers. Ask God to strengthen Christians in India to continue to be salt and light in the midst of oppression.

  For more on the persecution facing Christians in India,click here.

• Pastor jailed in Andhra Pradesh

  Pastor Prabhu Dass was arrested by police while attending a prayer meeting in a local Christian's home in the village of Dharmapuri, Karimnagar district, Andhra Pradesh on April 6, according to an April 9 report from All India Christian Council. During the prayer meeting, a man asked Pastor Dass for some Christian literature. When Pastor Dass gave it to him, the man left. He later returned with a group of villagers and they threatened the pastor and accused him of forcibly converting people. Pastor Dass was taken to the local police station where a complaint was filed against him. He was then detained in a local jail and remained imprisoned at last report.

  Pray for the release of Pastor Dass. Pray that he and other suffering believers will find strength in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:3-5).

  To learn more about India's suffering Christians,click here.

• Church burned, pastor attacked

  At approximately 6:30 p.m. on March 24, the Jesus Prayer House church building in the village of Kuruvakalva, Andhra Pradesh was burned by Hindu militants. Bibles, hymnals and furniture as well as the roof the church were destroyed.

  On April 5, Pastor Yadal was attacked in the village of Vadarpalaya, Karnataka. Police officers stopped Pastor Yadal while he was on his way to preach at the House of Salvation church. An officer beat the pastor and accused him of forcibly converting Hindus. Hindu militants then called two local pastors to the scene and warned them to stop holding church services. The militants also went to two other churches in the same village and warned them against gathering for worship.

  Pray for strength and wisdom for the victims of these attacks. Ask the Lord to embolden Indian Christians to continue serving Him and worshipping together despite pressure (1 Peter 5:10).

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in India,click here.

• Christian killed in Orissa

  A 23-year-old Christian man, Gunjan Digal, was run over by a tractor and killed in Gungibadi village, Kandhamal district, Orissa, according to an April 1 report from AsiaNews. Police have claimed that the incident was an "accident." According to eyewitnesses, however, the driver of the tractor intentionally drove into Digal as he was walking on the side of the road. Digal's faith was well-known in the Hindu-majority area.

  Pray that those in mourning will find strength, comfort and peace in Christ. Pray that God will continue to raise up cross-bearing disciples in Orissa who are willing to remain faithful to Him at all cost (1 Corinthians 4:9-14, 16).

  To find out more about the persecution of Christians in India,click here.

• Orphanage burned, believers attacked

  Photo from AsiaNews

  An orphanage in Bargarh district, Orissa, India that was torched by Hindu militants last August (for more information, click here) was burned to the ground a second time on March 20, according to a March 27 report from AsiaNews. The orphanage was placed under police surveillance following the August attack, during which a young teacher was thrown into the building and burned alive. However, police were not on site on the night the orphanage was set ablaze.

  In the city of Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, a group of believers was attacked on March 27, according to All India Christian Council. Pastor Pramodam Joshua, his wife, his son and seven other church members were gathered in a believers' home when three youths approached the owner of the building and threatened him for allowing the prayer service. Two youths confronted the Christians while they were traveling home and demanded to know why they
  were converting Hindus. Pastor Joshua and at least two other believers were beaten and injured.

  Pray for lasting peace and stability in India. Ask God to heal the injured believers. Pray that God will embolden Indian Christians to be Christ-like examples to their persecutors.

  To learn more about India's suffering Christians, go to theIndia Country Report.